Green Bay a super fit for Conant's Cavin
By John Leusch
When she was 7 years old, Briana Cavin remembers watching college softball games on television with her father Tom.
“I saw the pitchers and I thought it was so cool people could pitch underhand so fast and hard because I'd always see the baseball pitchers throwing overhand,” Cavin said. “It was so amazing to me that I wanted to try it.”
Cavin not only tried it, she flourished.
She has been playing the game ever since, and has become one of the top players in the Mid-Suburban League not only as a pitcher, but hitter as well.
Cavin's success at Conant High School has hardly gone unnoticed by collegiate programs.
In fact, the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay has already accepted a verbal commitment from Conant's all-area junior.
Yes, Cavin is only a junior.
She still has two years left playing for coach CathyAnn Smith's program.
“I am very proud of Briana's dedication as a student-athlete and her ability to continue her strong career after high school at a Division I school with an excellent education program,” Smith said.
Cavin would like to teach at the preschool or kindergarten level. She is a member of Conant's PALS program, which works with students requiring special needs. An honor roll student, Cavin was a part of the leadership class during the first semester.
“Briana does a fantastic job,” Smith said. “Bri is a true competitor who loves softball. She is a pleasure to have on our team and a great kid to know.”
Area softball coaches know her well.
As a sophomore, Cavin batted .395 with an on-base percentage of .442 and 33 runs scored. On the mound she recorded 179 strikeouts and only 39 walks in 165 innings.
The two-time all-area, all-conference pick led off for the Cougars last season, sparking many a rally.
Smith said Cavin worked hard in the off-season and enjoyed great success in the fall season with her under-18 Homer Hawk team.
“They participated in some of the Gold tournaments,” Smith said. “Some of the best softball programs in the Midwest were at those tournaments inquiring about Briana being a part of their program.”
Green Bay and coach Jean Rivett won out.
“When I was looking at schools, there were certain classes I wanted to take and I found that Green Bay had them,” Cavin said. “I liked the campus and the coaches, and it was a good location for me.”
500 winsBob Scarpino, a counselor at Wheeling High School, won his 500th underlevel high school basketball game on Jan. 28 at Wheeling High School.
Scarpino is in his fourth season as the Hersey freshman girls basketball coach. Before that, he coached boys basketball for 35 years at various schools, including Wheeling.
Men's basketball
Lewis fell 75-71 to No. 9 Southern Indiana despite the standout performance of junior point guard Chris McClellan (Wheeling). McClellan was a perfect 5-for-5 from 3-point range and finished with a season-best 23 points.
#376; Augustana's Brian DeSimone (Buffalo Grove) leads the 20-1 Vikings with 56 assists, 27 steals and a .750 free throw percentage. He's also second on the team with 29 3-pointers.
Women's basketball
Lana Rukavina (Wheeling) shattered her previous career-high at Illinois of 13 points by pouring in 22 in an 80-79 loss at Northwestern. She hit 9-of-14 from the field, including a career-best 2-of-2 from three-point range, and also added a career-high 3 assists.
Football Clinic
Northern Illinois' Dave Doeren, Cincinnati's Butch Jones and two Big Ten assistants highlight the Chicago Catholic League Coaches' Association's 65th annual Football Clinic from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 26, at Fenwick High School in Oak Park.
The day features informative football instruction from some of the top college and high school coaches around the country, plus uniform and equipment displays.
Other scheduled clinic speakers include:
Adam Cushing of Northwestern on #8220;Offensive Line Play#8221;,
Vic Koenning of Illinois on #8220;Illini Defenses#8221; and Bob Carksie, former Catholic League coach, on #8220;The Zone Run Game.#8221;
For more information, call Joe DiCanio at (708) 386-0127 Ext. 156 or e-mail him at jdicanio@fenwickfriars.com
#376; Please e-mail Sports Notes items to jleusch@dailyherald.com or FAX to (847) 427-1173.